Mr. Eugene “Gene” Herbert Lusby, 89, of Pocomoke City, Md., husband of Joanne East Lusby, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.
Gene was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a successful business owner with his wife in three different towns on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Born on Feb. 25, 1934, in Chestertown, Md., he was the son of the late Harry Clay Lusby and the late Hettie Fletcher Lusby.
On Nov. 15, 1958, he married the love of his life, former Joanne East of Pocomoke City. From marriage of over 64 years, survivors with many fond memories include children Sharon Sheets and her husband David Dixon, and Mark Lusby and his wife Brook Lusby; his five grandchildren, Lauren Jarrell and her husband Michael Jarrell, Blair Skiba and her husband Jeremiah Skiba, Jordan Lusby and her fiancé Luke Stobbe, Vince Lusby and his wife Hayley Lusby, and Gavin Sheets and his wife Kahla Sheets; and six great-grandchildren, McKinley, Madelyn and Monreau Jarrell, Levin and Andrew Skiba, and Grant Lusby; and his sister, Peggy Brown.
Gene attended Goldey-Beacom Business School and was a U.S. Army and National Guard Veteran.
In 1958, he started working in Bata Shoe Company, and in 1966, he went into business for himself when he opened his first Montgomery Wards Retail & Catalog store in Pocomoke City. Two years later he opened a second franchise in Parksley, and he later opened his third franchise in Exmore. Gene was the only person in the country to have three Montgomery Ward franchises.
After the closing of Montgomery Ward in 1985, he opened Lusby’s Appliances & Electronics, which he ran with his wife and son until he retired in 1993.
He participated for years in the Little League Organization and Senior League Baseball Organization. He held the office of president in the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Pocomoke City Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Association, Pocomoke High School Athletic Boosters, Holly Grove Grandparents Association.
Gene loved his family, watching his grandchildren play various sports, having lunch with his close friends, playing cards, talking politics, gardening, and going to church.
A funeral ceremony was held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Glad Tidings Assembly Of God in Pocomoke City with the Rev. Robert Blevins and George Fulk officiating. Interment followed in the Quinton Cemetery in Pocomoke City.
The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Holly Grove Christian School, 7317 Mennonite Church Road, Westover, MD 21871.
Arrangements were by the Thornton Funeral Home in Parksley, VA.
To sign the guest book online, visit: www.thorntonfuneralhome.net
